A Real Change Agent

William Wilberforce is the sort of individual that many of us would desire to be like. A man whose life did not only impact those around him, but changed history. He is also a man who is respected both inside the church and from without. So much so that Hollywood took on his story with very little opposition (this doesn’t happen much with overt Christian movies, not that Amazaing Grace was overtly christian). Nevertheless, Wilberforce was a grand individual who did amazing things. In his book Character Counts, Os Guinness cites the work of John Pollock and extracts from Pollock's insights seven principles that illuminate Wilberforce's life. These not only served Wilberforce well, but could also serve to further the work of righteousness today.

1. Wilberforce’s whole life was animated by a deeply held, personal faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Wilberforce had a deep sense of calling that grew into the conviction that he was to exercise his spiritual purpose in the realm of his secular responsibility.

3. Wilberforce was committed to the strategic importance of a band of like-minded friends devoted to working together in chosen ventures.

4. Wilberforce believed deeply in the power of ideas and moral beliefs to change culture through a campaign of sustained public persuasion.

5. Wilberforce was willing to pay a steep cost for his courageous public stands and was remarkably persistent in pursuing his life task.

6. Wilberforce’s labors and faith were grounded in a genuine humanity rather than a blind fanaticism.

7. Wilberforce forged strategic partnerships for the common good irrespective of differences over methods, ideology, or religious beliefs.


For those who might have a problem with the last of these seven and think that Wilberforce was a compromiser, he was not. He believed in the old Anglican principle: “In things essential, unity. In things nonessential, diversity. And in all things, charity.” Compromise on principle was unthinkable, but compromise on tactics was never a problem.